Luke 8:24
And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.
Dear Beloved, today, we will reflect on the miraculous story
of Jesus walking on water, as found in the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 14,
verses 22-33. This story holds a powerful message for us in challenging times.
It is a beacon that assures us of Jesus' power to keep us afloat, even when the
tide of life becomes tumultuous.
Life often resembles the waves of the sea; there are calm
times immediately followed by stormy ones. And in those stormy periods, we may
feel as if we are sinking, as if the waves of despair are about to overwhelm
us. But let us remember the disciples in the boat, afraid and uncertain, amid a
violent storm. It was in this very storm that Jesus appeared, walking on water,
transcending the very laws of nature.
It was in their moment of greatest fear, their darkest hour,
that Jesus revealed His power and authority over nature. But more than a
display of divine power, this miracle tells the story of God's unending love
for us, His children. It is a promise of His unyielding presence amidst our
struggles. Even when we feel like we are sinking, Jesus is there to keep us
afloat.
Peter's experience in this story is exceptionally relatable.
When he saw Jesus walking on the water, this emboldened him to step out of the
boat and walk towards Him. However, when he took his eyes off Jesus, he noticed
the strong wind and became afraid. His faith wavered, and he sank. How often
have we found ourselves in Peter's shoes? When we shift our focus from Jesus to
our problems, we sink.
Let this be a reminder that, like Peter, we need to fix our
eyes on Jesus. Only with Jesus at the centre can we find the courage to face
the storms with a hopeful heart. When we take our eyes off our Saviour and
focus too intently on the magnitude of our problems, we, too, will sink under
their weight.
We must never forget the transformative power of faith. It
is faith that empowers us to step out of our boats, our comfort zones, and walk
towards Jesus, our Saviour. It is faith that keeps us afloat when everything
around us seems to sink. And it is faith that Jesus saw in Peter and rewarded
with His saving hand.
Beloved, even in the darkest storms, Jesus is with us. He is
our lifeguard, ready to keep us afloat. He said to Peter as he was sinking, and
to us today, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." (Matthew 14:27,
ESV).
As we face life’s trials and tribulations, let us keep our
eyes fixed on Jesus, our saviour, our lifeguard. Let us strive to cultivate an
unwavering faith, remembering that just as He did for Peter, Jesus extends His
saving hand to us, keeping us afloat amidst the waves of life.
Remember, dear friends, "When you pass through the
waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow
you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the
flame scorch you." (Isaiah 43:2, NKJV). Jesus keeps us afloat. Let us
trust in Him, for He is our lifeguard in the stormy seas of life.